Theft of Zimmerman memorial about as low as you can go

BERG

September 12, 2006|By Christian Berg Of The Morning Call

It's been 15 months since the Lehigh Valley sporting community was rattled by the sudden death of Jerry Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, 54, of Alburtis, was the senior regional field supervisor for the National Wild Turkey Federation. In that position, he spearheaded the creation of numerous federation chapters throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland -- including the Lehigh Valley Longbeards in Lehigh County and the Northampton County Walking Purchase Chapter.

Jerry was killed June 14, 2005, in an automobile accident on Interstate 78 in Berks County. Despite the tragedy, the memory of Jerry's passion for the outdoors and commitment to conservation continues to inspire many federation members who are determined to carry on his legacy.

Jerry was an expert turkey hunter who served as a mentor to countless others. He also cared deeply about the resource and its future. Jerry's efforts in the Lehigh Valley alone helped raise more than $80,000, much of which was used to create hundreds of acres of wildlife habitat on local Game Lands.

"If it wasn't for him, all the habitat work I've been able to do over the last 10 years wouldn't have gotten accomplished," said Dave Mitchell, the Pennsylvania Game Commission's regional land management supervisor. "He's the guy that got the whole ball rolling."

Members of the Lehigh Valley Longbeards -- Jerry's home chapter -- were so moved by his contributions that they changed their name to the Jerry Zimmerman Memorial Chapter.

They also raised some $800 to purchase a bronze memorial plaque that was attached to a boulder on State Game Lands 217 above Leaser Lake. That plaque was dedicated on June 11, just three days before the one-year anniversary of Jerry's death, during a ceremony that included his family, chapter members and commission officials.

Scott Richards, president of the Jerry Zimmerman Memorial Chapter, said the location of the plaque was chosen so fellow hunters would be reminded of Jerry's contributions and the role they played in creating nearby food plots on the Game Lands.

During the last week of August, Jerry's son-in-law, Lynn McGovern of Macungie, went to visit the memorial site so he could apply a coat of sealer that would prevent ice from forming behind the plaque this winter. But when he got there, he discovered the plaque had been stolen.

"I was [angry], and I was astounded that somebody would even stoop that low," McGovern said.

Needless to say, news of the theft was devastating to Jerry's family, particularly his widow Audrey.

"She was pretty upset," McGovern said. "It just made her sick to think that someone would do that."

The location of the plaque was about half a mile from a locked gate, which means that whoever stole it had to hike back there with the tools needed to rip it off the boulder. Mitchell said it's difficult to know exactly when the crime occurred, although he believes it happened less than a week prior to McGovern's visit.

Richards said he and other chapter members are outraged by the complete disregard for Jerry's memory.

"It was a tremendous dishonor to him," Richards said of the theft. "It was a very disgusting occurrence. We're just at a loss of words over the whole thing."

Richards said the chapter and Jerry's family would like to get the plaque back. So, they are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for the theft. Anyone with information about the plaque can call Richards at 610-393-9761.